Mbombela United and Real Kings will both look to bounce back from weekend National First Division (NFD) defeats when they meet at KaNyamazane Stadium this afternoon.
Kick-off is at 15:30. Tingwenyama, as United are known, open the year on a back-foot as they went down 1-2 to log leaders’ Thanda Royal Zulu at Umhlathuze Sports Complex while Kings were beaten 0-1 at home at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium by FC Cape Town.
United are placed on position-10 with 20-points after 16 games while Kings are rooted in position-12 with 18-points. A mere two points separate the two sides. In head-to-head stats, United and Kings, who are rookies in the NFD, have met twice – one in a league encounter and one in the Nedbank Cup preliminary round.
In the first round encounter that was held at Umhlathuze Sports Complex, Kings beat United 2-1. United came to avenge that defeat by beating the KwaZulu Natal based-side 2-0 when they met at KaNyamazane Stadium in the Nedbank Cup. When the two sides meet today, United will be looking to stamp their authority over Kings.
Pat Mabuza, United team manager, say their boys were looking forward to collect their first maximum points in the New Year today. “The boys are rearing to go. They still see a chance of qualifying for the play-offs. Against, Thanda, we were unfortunate not to get at least a point. We scored first but a red-card to Bheki Maliba affected our game plan,” said Mabuza.
Despite Maliba, Tingwenyama will also be without the services of Khaya Ndimande, Agrippa Dube, Bongani “Ronaldo” Ndlovu, Siyathemba Mnguni and Victor Shongwe, who are all nursing injuries.
Tickets for the game are available at Chesa Nyama in Kanyamazane Shopping Complex at R20 for adults and R10 for children. They will also be available the the stadium’s gate.
Meanwhile, United provincial brothers, Witbank Spurs will host red-hot Thanda Royal Zulu at Puma Rugby Stadium, also at 15:30.
Spurs, who are perched in position three with 15-points after 16-games and stand a good chance of qualifying for the relegation and promotion play-offs, come to this game having held to a 2-all draw by Magesi at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium over the weekend.
Full fixtures for today all kicking off at 15:30:
· Mbombela United v Real Kings – KaNyamazane Stadium
· Witbank Spurs v Thanda Royal Zulu – Puma Rugby Stadium
· Black Leopards v Santos at Thohoyandou Stadium
· Jomo Cosmos v Milano United – Olen Park Stadium
· Amazulu v Mthatha Bucks – Princes Magogo Stadium
· FC Cape Town v University of Pretoria – NNK Rugby Stadium
· Stellenbosch FC v Magesi FC – Coetzenburg Stadium
· Cape Town All Stars v Royal Eagles – Parrow Park.
